Mask

Snow. Cold. Winter. Poisonous air.

This was once Equestria, land of the pony bloods, powerful magic users who would bend the very will of the earth and sky to suit their needs. The Earth bloods, whose strength could help them work the land and tend the fields, were the most in tune with the ground. They helped the plants grow and the fields to be plentiful, and had some serious strength.

The sky bloods, whose magic allowed them to roam the skies in beautiful wings, would help move the very clouds, allow the rains and snows to fall, and could help summon tornadoes simply by flying together.

There were the magic bloods, who would use spells and magic to help the world. They would learn, become stronger, and use their magic to help the other two bloodlines out, even helping to predict events in some individuals or go back in time, as some rumors say.

Then, there were the last line, the Royals. The Royals were a combination of all three lines. They had beautiful wings, powerful magic, and the strength to move mountains. They were the rulers of the land, and some say could even move the sun and moon, and paint the very stars.

And yet, even with all their power, all of their strength, all of their abilities, they could not stop the coming violence in the world.

It started as a normal day in the beginning, clouds were drifting by, birds were chirping, dogs barked and children played in the fields, enjoying their summer vacations from school. The sun was drifting high into the sky, and it seemed like a beautiful summer day in Equestria. That is when the sirens came.

The loud tone echoed out, striking through the peaceful day and shattering it, much like one does with glass and a hammer. Parents shot up and ran with their belongings out of their homes and businesses, having been mostly prepared for this day. Youngsters, scared and confused, ran home, only to be picked up by their parents.

A young child, hair green and beautiful emerald eyes, stared up at the kingdom on the mountain, which quickly sprung up a magic shield. The youngster looked to and fro for his guardian, only to be swooped up by the mayor of the town, staring up into the skies in horror.

There, multiple streaks of smoke and light racing across the sky, the youngsters eyes filling up with fear, pupils constricting into slits and tail wrapping around the woman carrying him. He held his hand out, calling someones name, which was lost to the crowd.

It was all a blur to the youngster, who could not make out faces or shapes, he did not even look at the familiar boutique as they passed by. Tears stung his eyes as he stared into his old, familiar faces blended together. He saw trees flash by, then dared to look forward, seeing caves and a massive, metal door in the side of one.

"Come on! Come on! Everyone inside!" He heard his savior yell out, before he dared a look back out towards his home, one he had lived in for years, and the distance, shielded city that was Canterlot.

The sounds of distant, echoing booms erupted out, everyone stopping in their mad dash to watch. His emerald eyes stared off at the distance, seeing a bright flash and the worlds greatest mushroom sprout out of it. It grew in size, making the young boy hiss in panic, squeezing the woman tighter.

"Quicker! Inside!" His charge yelled, ushering in people. Once everyone (or they hoped everyone) was in, a loud boom echoed out, a shockwave and soundwave echoing out.

She pressed a few buttons, before pulling a lever, the doors giving a loud, protesting groan before slowly closing. "Come on, come on, come on come on come on." She muttered to herself, watching the doors close. She looked at the young lad in her arms, who flashed her a scared look.

A loud boom shook them both and they looked back, seeing a mushroom cloud, still really far off. However, the shockwave nearly sent the two flying, though Mayor Mare grasped onto the door and shielded Spike. For a few moments, it felt like the world was about to rip itself apart, before the shockwave finally stopped. She looked up, in horror, watching as Cloudsdale was ripped apart by the force of the bomb, no doubt sending hundreds to their immediate, collective death.

She looked back down at Spike, before walking back into the cavern, taking a note of everyone inside. It seemed some did not make it, no doubt killed in the shockwave, but she couldn't tell who in her current state, and her mind was racing. She felt a tap on her chest, pulling her from her thoughts, and looked down to the emerald haired lad.

"Mayor Mare, what are we gonna do?"

She gave a fake smile, then stared at the door, it finally closing with a hiss and a loud thunk. A moment later, the ground shook and and the lights flickered, making people scream in fright. "Don't worry, Spike. We'll be fine." She mumbled to the young lad, who tightened his grip on her. She looked down, brushing his cheek, before looking back at the group. The ground shook again, screams of fear echoing out, though Mayor Mare only stared down at Spike. "We'll be okay. We'll be fine."

Spike turned to the door, dust slowly falling doen onto the group, a distant boom and ground shaking confirming their world had been shattered and burned into nuclear glass. A few tears streamed down his face, collecting dust and dirt and cleaning his cheeks, before he looked back and asked, "What about Twilight? And the others? What about Mom? What about-"

Mayor Mare shushed him, gently holding the young lad close, before responding, "Remember, they went to the Crystal Empire. You know Shining Armor and Princess Cadance wouldn't let anything happen to them." She assured him, before looking back at the crowd, seeing everyone covered in dirt and dust, their eyes filled with fear. She looked back down at Spike, who was sniffling a bit, before returning back to the crowd, her heart filling with determination. She suddenly called out, "Everyone!"

Everyone's whispers and muttering stopped as they turned to her. Being someone in politics, the suddenly change did not phase her, though Spike pressed up against her breasts, sniffling still, trying to calm himself down.

"I need someone to give an accurate head count of everyone here. Line up in rows. First, we will have farmers, then magic users, then flyers, and then builders. We will need to fix up the old settlement deep in the cave. Then, we will need explorers to map out safe spots, find clean water, and any salvage." She walked towards the group, it parting a bit, gently scratching Spikes scalp. She looked down, peering at him, before clearing her throat. "The main building should still be operational, assuming the bombs did not loosen any rocks or boulders and destroy parts of it. All the children, stay with Ms. Cheerilee and head towards the main building after the count."

"What about the others, in Cloudsdale or Canterlot?" A womans voice piped up, making her frown a bit, holding Spike closer once she felt his arms squeeze her tighter.

"There's nothing we can do for them right now." Mayor Mare spoke, before sitting down on a rock, hugging Spike tighter, her protective instincts taking over. "We must think about survival right now. Once we get a steady line of food and water, and are able to house everyone, then we can talk about scouting parties and rescue plans. Now, everyone line up, we'll try to do this safe and thorough!"

Mayor Mare looked down at Spike, who had calmed down, eyes still red as he looked up at her. She only smiled sadly, before hugging him tighter. She wanted to cry. She wanted to weep and scream and hug Spike forever, keeping him safe and sound.

She didn't do these things, for she had to be strong. For all of them. Their world may have been destroyed and plunged into a nuclear darkness, but she had to carry hope for them, and show that they will not be broken and turned into dust.

It had taken a few hours for them to gather up their strength and descend into the darkness. They had lost quite a few people, unfortunately, but most were still alive. As they walked, Spike had dozed in her arms, adrenaline from the previous events taking a toll on him.

Mayor Mare took a look at the cobbled together pieces of scrap they would call home. Until rescue arrives or they found someplace better, that is. The cavern itself was massive, easily able to hold four ursa majors and then some. It looked like there were dusty sheds and tools, a large building for food with dusty lights, and a few other buildings, made out of metal and stones.

"Alright." Mayor Mare called out, turning around and giving the group of survivors a stare, catching their attention. "We need this place in tip top shape. We'll need tools, rebreathers, masks, and metal. Who knows what else lurks in these tunnels, and I, for one, do not want to be caught unaware." Some of the group started to walk into the buildings, Mayor Mare setting Spike down and kneeling in front of him. "Spike."

Spike looked up at her, his emerald eyes with rounded pupils staring up at her, though in the low light, they reflected, much like a dogs eyes. Even though his eyeshine unnerved her, he just moved his eyes around, landing on various different survivors, hoping to spot his friends, though rather fruitlessly. It would be another few days before they could really stand on their legs, and they all knee this, but they kept moving on. Mayor Mare looked him up and down, noticing his normally purple and green scaled tail was currently dulled, drooping and resting on the ground, and his shirt, which had a cute, purple dragon designed on it, was covered in rocks and dirt.

Mator Mare followed his gaze, finding Applebloom and Big Macintosh mourning, holding the scarf of the Apple matriarch in their hands. Even in the low light, she could see the apples on its design. She looked over to see Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle hugging each other, sobbing and crying together. It was no doubt the two lost their families in the attack, and since she did not spot them anywhere.

She looked around more, seeing the mohawk of the familiar Zecora, her beautiful brown skin marred with scratches and dust, and holding a bag, which no doubt had the few belongings she could carry. In the corner, she saw Mister and Misses Cake, both holding on to their young children, who were far too young to understand why their parents were upset, but were crying because of the noises and shaking. She could even spot some guards, their usually shiny armor dusted with dirt and grime, and their weapons held in a relaxed state.

Mayor Mare looked down at her outfit, spotting cuts and tears, and even wet spots from where Spike had cried. She brushed her dyed hair with a hand, some dust and dirt coming free, before giving Spike a sad smile. "Well, at least you don't have the afro on." Spike joked, his voice croaking out in the darkness, making Mayor Mare smile.

"You should rest, Spike. We have a long day ahead of us, and you know Twilight will be worried sick when she finds out you are still up this late." Mayor Mare offered, making Spike look off into a rock wall, then back at her.

"Do you think Twilight is okay?"

"Are you kidding me?" Mayor Mare said, before giving Spike a reassuring side hug, unintentionally squishing his dace into her breast. "That Princess survived Discord, Tartarus, an evil shapeshifting queen, and Pinkie Pie! I'm sure she is more worried about you right now." She then brushed some dirt off of Spikes face, making him smile, his fangs for canines being shown, though she felt no fear from it. "Now, the main building will be where you and I will stay until Princess Twilight gets you. Now, let's get a gem off the wall and call it a night."